Tribute to Augustana debater Norman Lefstein '59
Phillip Hubbart '58
Editor’s note: Phillip Hubbart '58 remembers the day 66 years ago when he and Norman Lefstein '59 won the National Debate Tournament for Augustana College.
Hubbart’s tribute also honors the memory of their legendary debate coach, Martin J. Holcomb, who inspired every Augustana debater under his tutelage from 1932-1968.
On Aug. 29, 2019, Norman Lefstein ’59 passed away at the age of 82. He was my valued colleague when he and I won the National Debate Tournament for Augustana at West Point, N.Y., in April 1957 — the only time Augustana has ever won the tournament. We triumphed by the slim margin of 5-4.
From the left, Norman Lefstein and Phillip Hubbart in 1957
Photo courtesy of Special Collections, Tredway Library
I will always remember the final round of that contest against Army before a partisan West Point crowd; we were on the affirmative side of “resolved that the United States should discontinue direct aid to foreign countries.” We were in fact behind and in danger of losing until Norm and I gave our fiery five-minute rebuttals to end the debate.
Norm’s rebuttal came first and was by far the most important as it swung the debate in our favor — something that I was able to build on in my final rebuttal. When the one-hour round was over, there was prolonged and enthusiastic applause for a superior final debate.
"I remember this day like it was yesterday. We were received by the Augie faculty and student body like we had just won a national football championship!"
Photo courtesy of Special Collections, Tredway Library
Then the long wait came. The nine judges slowly marked their ballots, following which the Army cadet director started collecting the ballots one by one. When he was through, he walked to the rostrum and announced in a loud, clear voice, “I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Eleventh Annual West Point National Debate Tournament ...” (there then came an agonizing pause during which Norm and I fixed our eyes on the papers in front of us) “… is Augustana College.”
Pandemonium broke loose. I went crazy pumping Norm’s hand and throwing my other arm around him. And Norm was worse off than I was, almost jumping up and down with joy.
Then our debate coach, Professor Martin J. Holcomb or “Prof” as we called him, came forward when the trophy presentation was made by Lt. General Davidson, the commandant of West Point. Slowly, Prof walked up the aisle with a deafening applause in back of him.
This was the first time he had won the national tournament after qualifying and taking Augustana teams there for 11 consecutive years. There were tears in Prof’s eyes as the commandant made the presentation.
Then the flashbulbs started popping all around us. We posed for quite a number of photographs. The second-place trophy was awarded, and it was all over except for more photographs and handshakes from everybody in the place.
Exhilarated and joyous, we were indeed living out our Cinderella moment. And Norman Lefstein, more than anyone else, was responsible for this incredible Augustana victory with his decisive and thrilling rebuttal.